Wired or wireless? For portable audio idealists, the audio signal losslessly carried in the analogue domain between portable player and headphone – custom IEM, universal IEM or (low impedance) over-/on-ear is the only way. But it doesn’t end there…

If the manufacturer hasn’t already beaten us to the punch, the idealist porta-fi-er sidesteps the smartphone’s 3.5mm headphone socket by strapping on a Lightning- or microUSB/A-connected DAC/amp. Think: Chord Mojo or iFi micro iDSD Black Label. One look at the resulting bulk raises quite reasonable questions about pocketability and what happens when the phone rings.… Read the full article